The parents of 23-year-old Lizka Nell, who died after being discharged from the Brits District Hospital with gunshot wounds, are considering legal action against the hospital and the North West Department of Health.
Nell was admitted to the Brits District Hospital on 8 September, after she and a friend were attacked and shot at a resort near Hartbeespoort. She sustained gunshot wounds to her chest, abdomen and arm. Her friend Nicholas Wincento (25) was shot in the leg.
According to Lizka’s mother, Wanda Nell, X-rays were taken at the hospital and a doctor told them he could see no damage. The couple was discharged with antibiotics and pain medication. “We are waiting for the autopsy results and will then decide on legal action,” she said.
The following day Lizka fell ill and she was rushed to Potchefstroom Provincial Hospital. According to Wanda, she was operated on and doctors discovered that her colon and small intestines were damaged and had to be repaired. However, the operation could not be completed because she was too weak. She died the next morning.
At the time the North West Department of Health said it would issue a statement regarding the alleged negligence at Brits District Hospital. The only response to Kormorant’s enquiries was that “the incident has been handed over to the department’s quality assurance for investigation”. Spokesperson for the department, Tebogo Lekgwetane said the district office had appointed investigators to investigate the case and that the employees who were on duty at the time were interviewed. “We are still awaiting the report from the investigators.”